Spain Guide - Article No.013

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Holidays in Playa Blanca

By Nick Ball

Which is the fastest growing holiday destination on Lanzarote? That title has to go the resort of Playa Blanca. Which is located right at the southern tip of the island just across the Bocaina Straits from close Canarian cousin, Fuerteventura. Playa Blanca was created some time after the resorts of Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise to the north. Despite boasting a better climate and far more impressive beaches. Most notably in the form of the bays and coves at Papagayo. A collection of five distinctly different playas – all boasting beautiful golden grains and a real castaway feel. Papagayo is one of the few all natural beaches on Lanzarote. As many were created using sand imported from the Sahara desert. Which is located some 100 miles away in West Africa. A location that goes a long way to explaining Lanzarote´s popularity as a holiday destination as the island boasts great weather all year round. Playa Blanca enjoys the best of this climate – boasting more sunshine hours and less rainfall than any other location on the island. Factors which are especially salient during the winter months.

When the south of the island can be basking in sunshine whilst the north is cloudy and grey. As well as Papagayo, Playa Blanca also boasts some good quality beaches within the resort itself. In the shape of Playa Flamingo, Playa Dorada and Playa Blanca – the small town beach which the resort is named after. Playa Blanca only really started to expand as a holiday destination during the 1990´s. So as a result all of the accommodation is relatively new and in good condition. The best hotel in the resort is the five star Gran Melia Volcan, part of the Sol Melia chain and located just above the Rubicon Marina, which first opened in 2004. High quality four star hotels also line the seafront – providing guests with great views down to the sea and across to Fuerteventura.

Tourists in search of a villa holiday in Lanzarote also tend to opt for Playa Blanca. As the resort boasts a high concentration of privately owned villas which are rented out to tourists throughout the the year. Prices for a typical two bedroom rental property with pool start from around £450 a week, depending of course on the time of year. As well as excellent beaches and great weather Playa Blanca also offers visitors a huge selection of restaurants. The best of which are concentrated on the seafront and within the Rubicon Marina. Whilst for those who enjoy sightseeing Lanzarote´s main tourist attraction – the Timanfaya National Park – is located just fifteen minutes drive away.

Nick Ball is the editor of Lanzarote website - the in depth Lanzarote tourist information guide. Visit Lanzarote Guidebook and view a selection of hotels and villas in Playa Blanca.